Why Did GroundGrabba Change from 19mm to 16mm Hex?

Customers often ask about the difference between the original GroundGrabba anchors and the newer USA-made versions.

The short answer is simple:

Both designs are strong, reliable screw-in ground anchors used to secure tents, structures, equipment and outdoor installations in a wide range of conditions.

The differences are mainly related to manufacturing updates, not real-world performance.  Holding power is virtually the same.

The Original GroundGrabba Design

The first GroundGrabba anchors were manufactured in China and featured:

  • 19mm hex head
  • 2mm thick flights (spirals)
  • 10mm steel shaft
  • Galvanised steel construction

These anchors became widely used across camping, events, emergency services and outdoor installations because they could be installed quickly using a drill or impact wrench and provided far better hold than traditional tent pegs.

Many customers still use these original anchors today.

Why Manufacturing Moved to the USA

During the COVID supply chain disruptions, shipping products out of China became extremely difficult.

Freight delays stretched out, container movement became unreliable, and even when freight could be secured, the cost of shipping became prohibitive.

To keep supplying customers, GroundGrabba made the decision to establish manufacturing in the United States.

This allowed production to continue and helped ensure customers could still access GroundGrabba anchors when they needed them.

Why the Hex Size Changed

When production moved to the USA, manufacturers were required to follow different forging and bolt-production standards.

Under those standards, manufacturers would not forge a 19mm hex head onto a 10mm shaft.

Although we initially tried to maintain the original design, every manufacturer we approached advised the same thing — the hex size needed to change.

Reluctantly, the hex was reduced to 16mm (5/8"), which meets US manufacturing standards for that shaft size.

Other Design Updates

While the hex head changed, the opportunity was taken to improve other parts of the anchor design.

The newer USA-made GroundGrabba anchors now feature:

  • 16mm (5/8") hex head
  • 3mm thick flights for extra durability
  • Made in the USA

These changes improved manufacturing compatibility while maintaining the strong holding power GroundGrabba anchors are known for.

Which One Is Better?

In practical use, both versions perform extremely well.

The most noticeable difference for customers is simply the socket size required to install them.

If you already own 19mm GroundGrabba anchors, you will need a 19mm socket.
If you are using the newer models, you will need a 16mm (5/8") socket.

Other than that, both designs are built to do the same job:

Anchor equipment securely and install fast with a drill or impact wrench.

Still Not Sure Which GroundGrabba You Have?

If you are unsure whether you have the Original 19mm version or the newer 16mm USA-made anchors, check the hex size on the top of the anchor or the product description on your purchase.

Or feel free to contact us here and we will help you identify it.